December 2007  - BBC Good Food

BBC Good Food Magazine Wine columnist Sarah Jane Evans includes Bookers Pinot Noir in her line up of super reds to accompany your Christmas food, alongside wines from Australia, Chile, Burgundy and Portugal.

17th November 2007

Independent

A further report in the Independent about the growing interest from Champagne houses in land in the South East of England for possible future enterprises.  Louis Roederer representatives have visited some sites in England.

Full Story:

http://www.independent.co.uk/living/food_and_drink/news/article3169637.ece

16th September 2007

YOU Magazine - Mail on Sunday

Plenty of English wine recommendations by Amy de Vine when asked 'Can you plead the case for English wine?'

Those recommended include Davenport's Horsmonden and sparklers from Ridgeview, Biddenden and Carr Taylor.

11th September

Daily Mail

Richard Kay reported a romantic lunch enjoyed by Sienna Miller  and Rhys Ifans at Roast Restaurant, during which they drank Chapel Down Bacchus

Full story

THE GUARDIAN - 4th November

An English Wine Maker in Berkshire

The Guardian writer Matthew Fort comments on the success of small food and drink producers in the county of Berkshire with a review of the Stanlake Park Wine Estate run by Peter Dart.

The article highlights the quality of the wines and the exciting future ahead for the English wine producers: ' Stanlake has more awards than you can shake a stick at, and 80% of the estate's production - three whites, two reds, two sparkling and a rosé - is sold through the estate shop and the rest through local Waitrose stores, restaurants and off-licences. This year's harvest is already being heralded as potentially one of the finest of recent years, thanks to the exceptional summer. If Peter Dart has anything to do with it, British wine's time has come.'

Full story: http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/experts/matthewfort/story/0,,1937915,00.html

DAILY TELEGRAPH - 28th October

Main Story: Bollinger Beware: here comes a Sussex sparkler

For the second time in a week, the Daily Telegraph has highlighted the outstanding success of English wines, today reporting on the exciting developments at Nyetimber Vineyard in Sussex, and their plans, currently underway, to expand the acreage and increase production significantly.

Nyetimber has a highly successful track record, with a host of awards for its wines since their first vintage.  Its award winning wines convinced new owner, businessman Eric Hereema, that there was a very real future in English sparkling wine.  A further 150 acres have now been planted, to add to the current 36 acres, and when in full production will increase Nyetimber's output from 70,000 bottles to 500,000 bottles - the equivalent of a small or medium Champagne House.

Nyetimber has "created for the first time a future for the domestic wine industry," correspondant Richard Alleyn reports.

The Editorial Comment further reinforces the message that English wines are now award-winning.  Jonathan Ray, the Telegraph's correspondant, says he prefers Nyetimber to 'all but the finest champagne'.

Full story, plus a video including interview with Nyetimber owner Eric Hereema is available on:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/10/28/nwine28.xml

DAILY TELEGRAPH - 23rd October

The French Raise a Glass to English Wine

it is repaorted that the French are developing a taste for English wine.

Sales of English wines are selling successfully in Calais, writes correspondant David Sapsted, with a wine shop called Franglais selling out of stocks already, having ordered in supplies to sell alongside his French wine range.   Franglais' owner, Jerome Pont, organised a tasting trip for sommliers to the South East of England, encouraged by the many recent reports of global warming and how it is shaping the English wine industry.  Wines from the trip were tasted back in France by members of L'Association Sommelier Unione Francais, all highly trained tasters and many of whom had never tasted English wines before.  Many were astounded at the quality.

Although some of Mr Pont's customers are British, about half are French.  Tastings in the warehouse have prompted sales of English wines, and further stocks being bought in.

Full story: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/10/23/nwine23.xml

INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY - 2nd April

The Independent on Sunday gave an insight in to the wine cellars at Lancaster House, home of the Government’s wine stock.

Since taking office in 1997, it is revealed that New Labour has spent some £1m in replenishing the Government wine cellars, by investing in a wide selection of wines, ranging from prestigious clarets to easy drinking Vin de Pays, and, it was added, a good stock of English wines.

The group responsible for buying in wines for government hospitality is advised by a committee of four Masters of Wine, who hold blind tastings.

The fine wines are selected young, and therefore considerably cheaper than when they reach peak maturity, then stored until they are ready to drink (and worth considerably more). The cellars include, for example, 1961 clarets that are now worth over £1,000 per bottle

Independent on Sunday wine correspondant Richard Ehlich commented that the store is strong on English wines, which Ehrlich called "right and proper", adding that "all the producers are good ones": Denbies, Chapel Down, Camel Valley, Ridgeview, and Three Choirs.  Also included in the line up is Breaky Bottom sparkling, who has despatched large parcels of the wine during  the past year.

Full story available on http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article355184.ece

REUTERS - 20th February

In his article "Enthusiasm and new vines put fizz in English wines", Chris Johnson highlights the strides the sparkling wine industry in the UK have made in producing top quality sparkling wine. The article includes interviews with Ridgeview Wine Estate, one of England's leading producers, along with facts on English wine production.

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticleSearch.aspx?storyID=201084+23-Feb-2006+RTRS&srch=English+wine

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticleSearch.aspx?storyID=157010+20-Feb-2006+RTRS&srch=English+wine

HARPERS WINE & SPIRIT GAZETTE - 3rd February

An allotment holder from near Manchester is planning to plant about half a hectare of vinees, making it one of the most northerly vineyards in the UK.

THE TELEGRAPH - 21st & 28th January 2006

A two week write up of the exchange visits between Owen Elias, winemaker of Chapel Down wines and winemaker of Simonnet-Febvre in Chablis, Jean-Philippe Archambaud.  The pair were impressed with each others' set up and enjoyed an exchange of views and opinions.
www.telegraph.co.uk/wine/main.jhtml?xml=/wine/2006/01/21/edray21.xml
www.telegraph.co.uk/wine/main.jhtml?xml=/wine/2006/01/28/edray28.xml

THE OBSERVER - January 8th 2006

Five fine sparkling wines by Tim Atkin - include 1999 Nyetimber Classic Cuvee.  Having remarked that "Champagne is the closest the wine wrold comes to a bit of bling", Tim Atkin adds that "at its best, Champagne is the best sparkling wine in the world; at its worst, it's one step up from acidic mouthwash."  He recommends other excellent examples from other regions of the world, including Nyetimber - "the best sparkling wine ever produced in these islands"

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,,1680018,00.html

OFF LICENCE NEWS - 9th December 2005

Off Licence News dedicated a full page article to Plumpton College, Sussex, outlining the progress that Plumpton College has made and its appeal to students from around the world, it touches also on the new winery. Quotes from Chris Foss, who outlines the potential of the
South East for English grape growing, included, “Within 50 years we’ll be a Loire Valley – and we’ll easily be a Chablis.”

DAILY TELEGRAPH - 28th November 2005

We may not be able to call English fizz “Champagne”, but it won’t be long before at least one Champagne maker will have to call some of his production “English Sparkling Wine”. The Telegraph reported that Didier Pierson (of Pierson Whitaker Champagne) has planted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay near Droxford in Hampshire. Stephen Skelton is quoted saying, “Didier Pierson is the sole representative of…Champagne, to take the plunge and plant in England.” Will others follow?

INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE - 2nd October 2005

English sparkling wines in the article 'Move over, Moet: British bubbly sparkles'.  The piece outlined the current competition successes enjoyed particularly by Ridgeview, but also mentions Chapel Down and Nyetimber.  A positive piece, which can be viewed on www.iht.com/articles/2005/09/30/yourmoney/mdrink.php  

METRO - 16th September 2005

Bob and Ann Lindo appear in Metro newspaper (free newspaper handed out in London and surrounds) toasting their success in the International Wine Challenge with their Gold medal winning Cornwall Brut. "We know we're up there near the top, but to get the only gold anywhere outside Chamoagne is amazing," comments Bob Lindo.

COUNTRY LIFE – 1st September 2005

DECANTER CORKERS in their Thought for Food section recommends Ridgeview Merret Bloomsbury: “An English sparkling wine to toast our imminent Ashes victory.  Founders Christine and Michael Roberts have proven that the English can do ‘sparkling wine’ as well as the French.”  Bloomsbury has been selling so well after numerous accolades, particularly their 2002 which scooped the Trophy for Best Sparkling Wine in the World at the International Wine & Spirit Competition this year.  For more information please press here.

GUARDIAN EDUCATION - 28th July 2005

Climate Prof risks French grapes of wrath: ... "For winemkaers climate change is both a problem and an opportunity ... The good quality of southren English wine over thelast few seasons is not just down to better winemaking - everybody knows it is hotter summers."...

Link to aticle

YOU MAGAZINE - 24th July 2005

The Bottle of Britain: recommended wines to accompany the Cornish dishes in the magazine: "The wine has to be English ... 2003 Camel Valley Brut 'Cornwall', a bottle-fermented fizz (around £15 frow www.camelvalley.com).  Also recommended: the all-chardonnay sparkling Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs 1996 (Waitrose, £21) from West Sussex - supple enough for crab, forceful enough for kippers."

KENT ON SUNDAY - 24th July 2005

Bottoms Up: Will Jacques Chirac soon be appreciating the delights of Kentish wine? ...

Link to article

There were many articles over English Wine Week:

INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY - 29th May 2005

No, it's not the Loire, but a vineyard in Kent.  Drinkers can raise their glasses to the surging popularity of English wines, with sales up 30 per cnet and orders pouring in from France ...

Link to article

THE TELEGRAPH - 30th May 2005

According to some industry experts, the amount of English farmland devoted to wine productin will double over the next few years, turning what was once a minor curiosity into a major busines ...

Lilnk to article

THE GUARDIAN - 31st May 2005

French producers are in the market for Kent and Sussex estates which have been outperforming them in competitions ...

Link to article

WAITROSE FOOD ILLUSTRATED – May 2005
Features wines from Denbies Wine Estate, Curious Grape and Nyetimber, and reminds readers that English Wine Week is coming up!
click here to read the article

READERS DIGEST – May 2005
A page by Andrew Catchpole on visiting an English vineyard, listing recommended vineyards to visit from around the country, and a few hints on top tipples

EASY LIVING MAGAZINE – May 2005
Under their ‘Food and Entertaining’ section, features Nyetimber Vineyard and reminds readers about English Wine Week.